fbpx
Connect with us

News

NAHCON Chairman, Secretary in EFCC Custody Over Mismanagement of N90bn Hajj Subsidy

Published

on

 

The Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Jalal Arabi, and the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, are currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the alleged mismanagement of the N90bn 2024 Hajj subsidy, it was learnt on Wednesday.

In a document sighted by our correspondent on Wednesday, the anti-graft agency said, “A total of

SR314,098 was recovered,” from the NAHCON chairman and other ranking officials.

The EFCC said its investigation revealed that from the N90bn Hajj subsidy, Arabi, fraudulently overpaid himself and others the necessary operational cost.

Also according to the document, the approved 2024 Hajj operational cost for the Chairman/CEO

Commissioners, Secretary and Directors/Chief of Staff in the 2024 budget are stipulated as $4,250, $12,750, $3,825 and $15,300, respectively.

The EFCC, however, alleged that: “The chairman fraudulently overpaid himself, the commissioners, secretary and directors for the 2024 hajj operational cost.

“The chairman was entitled to SR15,929 but he got SR50,000; three commissioners who were meant to get SR 15,929 each received SR 40,000 each. The secretary got SR 30,000 instead of SR14,336. Directors/Chief of Staff received SR 30,000 instead of the SR2,550 they were entitled to. The total of

SR314,098 were recovered from all of them.”

The anti-graft agency had first grilled Arabi for hours on July 29 and released him on bail.

Also, last week Wednesday, some top officials of the Hajj commission were arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over alleged mismanagement or diversion of the N90bn subsidy.

On Wednesday, a source in the EFCC told our correspondent that the NAHCON Chairman was taken in again on Wednesday for questioning and was detained.

“The Secretary and Chairman of the commission are in our custody and are facing serious interrogations on the N90bn subsidy, among other allegations,” the source said on condition of anonymity because they could not speak officially.

A document exclusively sighted by our correspondent revealed that SR 8,614,175.27 cash withdrawal out of the N90bn released by the Federal Government to the commission is yet to be accounted for by NAHCON.

Punch

#

News

Hon. Bichi Sponsors 200 Postgraduate Scholarships in Constituency

Published

on

 

The Kabir Abubakar Bichi Foundation led by Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, the member of the House of Representatives for Bichi Federal Constituency from Kano State and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, has sponsored 200 constituents for postgraduate studies in various Nigerian universities.

The secretary General of the Foundation Zahraddeen Bello stated this to newsmen in Kano

He said among the beneficiaries of the scholarship program are 37 PhD candidates and 163 students pursuing master’s degrees.

According to him ,the lawmaker has allocated over N46 million (N46,171,792.50) to fund the scholarships. His sponsorship initiative also includes providing support for students from Bichi Local Government Area studying in various Nigerian universities. Additionally, he sponsors all science and technical boarding students from Bichi and the distribution of educational and instructional materials to all SS 1 students of the constituency.

The distribution of beneficiaries spans several institutions, including:

1.Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU) – 3

2.Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria – 19

3.Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil – 26

4.Al-Qalam University, Katsina – 3

5.Bayero University, Kano – 95

6.Federal University Dutse, Jigawa – 3

7.Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina – 22

8.Federal University of Technology, Minna – 5

9.Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola – 3

10National Open University of Nigeria – 1

11.Sa’adu Zungur State University, Gadau – 1

12.Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina – 2

13.University of Benin – 1

14.University of Ibadan – 1

15.University of Jos – 1

16.Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto – 1

17.Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano – 13

He pointed out that the initiative is part of Honourable Bichi’s broader commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in his constituency.

Accordingly ,the distribution of the postgraduate scholarship by Rep. Bichi through his foundation is a yearly gesture since his election as member of the House of representatives in 2019 and 2023 respectively .

#

Continue Reading

News

Nigerian Youth Movement Mulls Over Strategy to Capture Power from Establishment

Published

on

A Nigerian youth movement is considering strategies to wrestle political power from the nation’s establishment in a bid to reposition the country, according to human rights lawyer Barrister Abba Hikima.

Hikima, in an exclusive interview with Nigerian Tracker, revealed that the movement aims to address the challenges facing Nigeria by reorganizing the country’s political structure. “The youth movement is borne out of the present situation; there is a need to reorganize Nigeria,” Hikima said. “The youth are at the receiving end, and we want to come up with a political solution, either by contesting or by presenting good people to contest.”

He emphasized the importance of youth participation in Nigeria’s democratic process, noting that they constitute the largest demographic. “Youth are the highest in number. Repositioning Nigeria is a must, and since democracy is a game of numbers, let the youth start,” Hikima stated.

Highlighting the dissatisfaction with current leadership, Hikima urged the youth to take action if they believe those in power are not governing effectively. “If we say somebody is not doing the right thing, let’s use our numbers,” he added, suggesting that the movement could establish its own political party or align with an existing one. The goal, according to Hikima, is to “retire the present tyrannical leaders.”

Barrister Abba Hikima

Barrister Abba Hikima

The lawyer disclosed that the movement has its origins in Northern Nigeria but plans to expand across the federation in the near future. “The idea started from the North, but in the near future, the movement will spread all over the federation,” he concluded.

#

The group has yet to formalize its structure but has already sparked interest among Nigerian youth who are eager to see a shift in the country’s political landscape.

Continue Reading

News

KANSIEC Praises Police Efforts in Safeguarding Democracy

Published

on

Prof Sani Lawal Malumfashi KANSIEC Chairman

The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has described the Nigeria Police Force as a crucial institution in any political dispensation. Prof. Sani Lawal Manumfashi emphasized that as custodians of law and order, the police also play a key role in safeguarding democracy.

The Chairman made this statement during a visit to the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 1, Ari Mahd Ali, at his office on Tuesday.

Professor Manumfashi noted that the police are key players in providing security, protecting the electoral process, and maintaining law and order in society during and after elections. He stressed that this vital role makes the police force the true guardians of democracy, as their presence is essential in every electoral process.

He further added that with Kano being the most populous state in the country, having 44 local government areas, 484 wards, and 11,222 polling units, the need for police service in the state is paramount.

In his remarks, AIG Ali assured that his command is fully prepared to provide maximum support and cooperation to ensure the success of the upcoming local government elections in the state. He also mentioned that his phone line is available 24 hours, and the commission can reach him whenever necessary. AIG Ali commended the Commission Chairman for demonstrating his academic expertise by providing essential information about Kano during his brief speech.

In a statement signed by Director public enlightenment of the commission Bashir Habib Yahaya said the visit included the presentation of election guidelines and the 2024 election calendar to the AIG by the Chairman of the Commission.

#
Continue Reading

Trending